Skip to content Skip to footer

8 min read How to Get Free Links & Press with HARO

How to Get Free Links & Press with HARO
Table Of Content

8 min read How to Get Free Links & Press with HARO

The Silver Ant Marketing (SAM) Research Team delivers expert insights and proven strategies to help businesses grow, thrive, and stay ahead in the ever-changing digital world.

Gaining credibility and authority in the ever-changing world of digital marketing and online presence may take time and effort. It’s a lot of work to build connections and track down press publicity for your company. Link building is time-consuming and boring, and hiring a professional firm to do it for you may be costly. However, HARO, which stands for “Help A Reporter Out,” is a potent tool that may help you gain free links & press with HARO while increasing your internet profile.

Table Of Content
Share this article

A lot of people wishing to get into the media industry may find it overwhelming at first. However, if you use efficient methods of link building, you may attract the attention of journalists seeking stories like yours, who will then link to your site from theirs. In this article, we’ll explore HARO link building, its inner workings, and how you may best use it to get free links & press with HARO coverage for your company.

FOMO Fact: Businesses featured in authoritative media see up to 70% more inbound traffic than those without media coverage. Read more about the impact of backlinks here.

What Is HARO?

Peter Shankman, a well-known public relations specialist and entrepreneur, created the online platform HARO (“Help A Reporter Out”) in 2008. The premise behind HARO is deceptively straightforward:

  • Journalists need insights, anecdotes, and credible quotes
  • Sources want exposure and backlinks

What Is HARO Link Building?

Over 75,000 journalists and bloggers routinely use HARO, and the program has over 1 million registered sources covering topics like:

  • Business & Finance
  • Health & Wellness
  • Tech & Marketing
  • Lifestyle & Travel

HARO Request Email Includes:

Element Description
Publication Name Where the journalist writes (e.g., Forbes)
Deadline Response cut-off time
Guidelines Formatting or content requirements
Email Address Where to send your pitch

Want quality backlinks like these? Learn the steps to get premium backlinks.

How Does HARO Work?

As a platform that links journalists with sources, HARO stands out for its SEO and PR value. Here’s how it works:

Step-by-Step HARO Process:

  • Step 1: Register as a source on HARO for free
  • Step 2: Choose your industry categories
  • Step 3: Receive email requests (3x daily)
  • Step 4: Respond to relevant queries quickly
  • Step 5: Include:
    • Direct answer to the query
    • Short bio with credentials
    • Link to your website or socials

Stat Box

Journalists typically choose sources within the first 25 responses.
Speed = Visibility.

Case Study

One of our clients, a SaaS founder, secured a backlink from Inc.com and saw a 23% boost in organic traffic within 30 days.

HARO Link Building 

By using HARO to its full potential, you may increase your website’s search engine optimization and online visibility by securing high-quality backlinks from reputable domains. The following is a guide on using HARO for inbound linking purposes:

  • Create a profile and register with HARO as a source. Be sure to include detailed, relevant information to increase your chances of being selected.
  • Monitor journalist requests. HARO sends emails daily with queries from reporters. Focus on those that match your expertise and reply quickly—speed matters.
  • Craft thoughtful, helpful responses. Provide valuable insight, data, and commentary that makes it easy for journalists to quote you.
  • Follow the journalist’s instructions exactly. This includes formatting, subject lines, and specific content needs—they may skip your pitch otherwise.
  • Build ongoing relationships by consistently offering insightful responses. Journalists prefer reliable sources for future stories.
  • Promote published articles that feature your input on your site and social media. This adds credibility and increases visibility.
  • Track your backlinks using tools like Google Analytics. Analyze what’s working and adjust your HARO strategy accordingly.
  • Be prepared for traffic spikes and new leads. Keep your content high quality and engage your audience to maximize retention.

HARO Link Building Benefits

Using HARO to its full potential can:

  • Earn backlinks from high-authority media
  • Improve SEO and domain authority
  • Boost brand visibility and trust
  • Provide referral traffic from media articles

Pro Tips:

  • Use filters to focus on your niche (e.g., “SEO” or “Digital Marketing”)
  • Craft custom, concise, and quote-worthy answers
  • Monitor your pitches and track live links with Google Analytics

How to Use HARO Effectively

Want to get quoted consistently? Use these pitch-winning tips:

Pick and choose

Focus on questions more relevant to your specialty, audience, and objectives than answering every single one. By picking and choosing, you may put your energy where it will do the most good.

Act Swiftly

Reporters often work on tight deadlines, so they must have answers to their questions as soon as possible. Responding quickly increases your profile and the chance that a journalist will notice you.

Be Helpful

Be useful by giving journalists something they can use, such as clear and thorough comments. Don’t only try to advertise yourself or your company. Demonstrate your knowledge and eagerness to provide helpful information by answering their questions.

Be Friendly

Have a cordial demeanor while communicating with media members. Say thanks for listening and reading this far. It’s a good idea to follow up when it’s needed.pre

Practice Patience

HARO’s Outcomes May Not Immediately Become Evident. Sometimes, you won’t hear back from the writer, and it might be a while before your name or link appears in an article. The key is persistence and constantly fine-tuning your pitches.

Marketing Tip: Add one statistics-driven point to your answer for added credibility. Example: “According to a 2024 BrightLocal study, 87% of users trust media articles with expert quotes.”

The Way Forward 

Businesses may boost their visibility, referral traffic, and backlink quality by using HARO outreach. It’s also a great feeling when your company gets recognized in the press.

If you implement the recommended procedures for HARO, you will see it for yourself. HARO is an effective and simple method of getting your company free publicity and backlinks.

FOMO Reminder: Every unanswered HARO query is a lost opportunity for a high-authority backlink!

FAQs

Win Free Links and Expand Your Influence with Silver Ant Marketing (SAM)

After reading this, we hope you will feel prepared to launch your link-building campaign with HARO. Other link-building resources may be available, but you should pay attention to what HARO has to offer. It’s the most cost-effective way companies can establish relationships with media outlets and promote their products online without going bankrupt.

Our HARO link-building agency and services are ready to help if this seems too complicated. Get free press coverage and increase your online impact with Silver Ant Marketing’s SEO specialists and link builders. Also, the connections you need to succeed aren’t the simple ones.

In previous years, SAM’s link-building team has used top-notch link-building tactics to earn numerous significant links. Contact us if you want our help developing a strategy for increasing inbound links or gaining exposure in the media. If you need assistance, our link-building services are available 24/7.

Silver Ant Marketing

Smart Marketing Starts Here

At Silver Ant Marketing, we craft data-driven strategies to elevate your brand. Our expertise in digital marketing ensures maximum reach and engagement for your business.

    How to Get Free Links & Press with HARO
    8 min read How to Get Free Links & Press with HARO

    Gaining credibility and authority in the ever-changing world of digital marketing and online presence may take time and effort. It’s a lot of work to build connections and track down press publicity for your company. Link building is time-consuming and boring, and hiring a professional firm to do it for you may be costly. However, HARO, which stands for “Help A Reporter Out,” is a potent tool that may help you gain free links & press with HARO while increasing your internet profile.

    Table Of Content

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter

    Stay in the loop! Get marketing tips, industry insights, and exclusive updates delivered fresh to your inbox. No spam, just ideas that spark success!

    Subscription Form